This category provides Windows Server administration guides with a strong focus on Active Directory. Content includes installing and promoting a Domain Controller (AD DS role, pre-config: static IP, DNS, hostname, promotion and verification); multi-site AD design and management—practical scenarios (e.g. multi-site company with HQ and branch offices), OU structure (departmental separation), user and group management, network shares with NTFS and share permissions, delegation via security groups, and access controls; and disk quota management for controlling storage and enforcing limits. The articles are step-by-step, lab-style guides for sysadmins and students building or maintaining Windows Server and AD infrastructure in enterprise or training environments.
Installing Active Directory Domain Services
Step-by-step guide for deploying a Windows Server as a Domain Controller with the AD DS role. The article covers essential pre-configuration steps including setting static IP addresses and configuring network adapters via ncpa.cpl, establishing proper DNS configuration with loopback addressing as Windows Server automatically installs the DNS role during DC promotion, and renaming the server to appropriate naming conventions. The guide walks through adding the AD DS feature through Server Manager, configuring the domain controller promotion process, and post-installation verification steps to ensure proper Active Directory functionality.
Active Directory Multi-Site Infrastructure Management
Comprehensive practical exercise demonstrating enterprise Active Directory deployment across multiple geographic locations. The scenario implements a three-site company infrastructure with headquarters in Chassignieu (SRV-CHA) and branch offices in Virieu (SRV-VIR) and Blandin (SRV-BLA). The guide covers Organizational Unit (OU) structure design with departmental separation (Management, Administrative, Technical), user and group management across sites, network share configuration with appropriate NTFS and share permissions, rights delegation using security groups, and implementing proper access controls. This hands-on approach teaches real-world Active Directory architecture for distributed enterprise environments with centralized management.
Disk Quota Management
Techniques and best practices for implementing and managing disk quotas on Windows Server systems to control storage consumption, enforce user limits, and maintain optimal disk space utilization across enterprise environments.